Blogy
What Did I Read Last Week?
Vanish by Tess Gerritsen
f you’re looking for a book that starts with a “bang” and never slows down, Vanish is the one. I recently finished it, and honestly, I’m still thinking about that opening scene!
The Plot in a Nutshell The story starts in a morgue (classic Rizzoli & Isles, right?). Jane Rizzoli is looking at the body of an unidentified woman who suddenly… wakes up. Yes, you read that right! This “corpse” is very much alive, and she is terrified. What follows is a chaotic hostage situation and a deep dive into a dark conspiracy that involves human trafficking and secrets that people would kill to keep.
Why I Loved It:
The Pace: From the moment that “body” opens its eyes, the tension is 10/10. I finished this in almost one sitting because I just had to know who that woman was.
The Emotional Side: We see a lot of Jane Rizzoli’s personal side here—she’s pregnant and dealing with a lot of pressure, which makes her feel so much more “human” and relatable.
Maura’s Brilliance: As always, Maura Isles uses her “Queen of the Dead” logic to solve puzzles that seem impossible.
My Honest Take: It’s dark, it’s fast, and it’s a bit scary because the topics it touches on (like human trafficking) are very real. It’s not just a “who-done-it” mystery; it’s a story about survival. If you like medical thrillers with a lot of heart and a lot of adrenaline, you need to add this to your Booky list immediately.
Hunger By Knut Hamsun
After reading so many fast-paced thrillers, I decided to dive into a classic: Hunger by Knut Hamsun. Let me tell you, this wasn’t an easy “relaxing” read, but it was incredibly powerful.
What is it about? Set in 19th-century Christiania (now Oslo), the story follows an unnamed young writer who is literally starving. He wanders the streets, trying to sell articles to newspapers for a few coins. But this isn’t just a book about physical hunger; it’s about his pride, his losing grip on reality, and how his mind starts to play tricks on him as he gets hungrier.
The “Vibe”: It is raw, honest, and at times, very strange. You feel his desperation in every sentence. One moment he is hopeful and arrogant, and the next, he is talking to his shoes or getting angry at strangers for no reason.
Why I gave it 4 Stars (and not 5):
The Intensity: It is so well-written that it actually becomes uncomfortable to read. You feel the protagonist’s pain so much that you might need to take breaks!
The Style: Since it’s a “stream of consciousness” style, there isn’t a traditional plot with a big “twist” or a happy ending. It’s more of a character study. It’s brilliant, but you have to be in the right mood for it.
Why you should read it: If you want to understand modern literature, you have to read this. It influenced almost every great writer that came after Hamsun. It makes you think about how thin the line is between “normal” and “madness” when we are pushed to our limits.
Death and the Gardener by Georgi Gospondinov
Some books you read to pass the time, and some books you read to understand life better. The Gardener and Death is definitely the latter. I just finished it, and honestly? I’m still sitting here with a lump in my throat. It’s easily a 5-star read for me.
The Essence of the Story Gospodinov has this magical way of talking about the heaviest things—memory, loss, and the inevitable end—with such a gentle touch. The book follows the story of a father (the gardener) and the son who is trying to gather the fragments of his father’s life. It’s about the plants he grew, the silence they shared, and the “garden” of memories we all leave behind.
Why I Absolutely Loved It:
The Poetry in Prose: Every page feels like a poem. Gospodinov’s language is so beautiful that I found myself highlighting almost every paragraph. It’s not just a story; it’s an atmosphere.
A Different View of Death: Usually, we think of death as something scary or dark. Here, it’s treated like a season in a garden. It’s quiet, respectful, and deeply human. It made me look at my own family and history in a much softer light.
The Nostalgia: If you’ve ever missed someone or felt the “sadness of time passing,” this book will speak directly to your heart. It’s melancholic but somehow comforting at the same time.
My Honest Take: I didn’t just read this book; I felt it. It’s short, but it stays with you much longer than a 500-page thriller. It’s the kind of book you want to give to everyone you love. It’s a reminder that even when things “end,” the roots we plant remain.
What Did I Watch Last Week?
Emma
The Vibe: A pastel-colored, witty, and stylish take on Jane Austen’s classic. It feels like a high-end dessert—beautiful to look at and sweet to taste.
Why 4 Stars?
Anya Taylor-Joy: She is perfect as the “handsome, clever, and rich” Emma Woodhouse. She manages to be both annoying and likable at the same time.
The Aesthetics: The costumes and the lila/pastel color palette are a dream! Every frame looks like a painting.
The Humor: It’s much funnier and more “awkward” than previous versions, which makes it feel fresh.
Why not 5? Sometimes the pacing feels a bit slow in the middle, and if you aren’t a fan of period dramas, the “properness” might feel a bit much.
The Woman in the Yard
The Vibe: Sharp, mysterious, and deeply unsettling. It’s a classic Blumhouse thriller that takes a simple setting—a quiet backyard—and turns it into a claustrophobic nightmare.
Why 4 Stars?
The Suspense: The movie does an incredible job of making you feel watched. The tension builds slowly but stays consistently high throughout.
Danielle Deadwyler: Her performance is top-tier. She brings so much emotion and “survival instinct” to the screen that you can’t help but root for her.
The Direction: Jaume Collet-Serra knows exactly how to pace a thriller. It’s tight, focused, and doesn’t waste a second.
Why not 5? While the atmosphere is amazing, some of the plot beats feel a bit familiar if you are a hardcore thriller fan. It’s a “solid” 4, but maybe not a genre-defining revolution.
One Tree Hill - Season 2
The Vibe: Emotional, transformative, and absolutely addictive. If Season 1 was about basketball and brothers, Season 2 is about the heart and the choices that define who we become.
Why 5 Stars?
Brooke Davis’s Evolution: This is the season where Brooke officially steals the show. Seeing her move beyond the “party girl” image and show her vulnerability makes her one of the best characters on TV.
The Nathan & Haley Journey: Their relationship faces its biggest tests here. It’s messy, realistic, and heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s the season of “Always and Forever.”
The Music & The Tric: Opening the nightclub “Tric” was a game-changer. The performances (like Fall Out Boy and Tyler Hilton) made the show feel so alive and culturally iconic.
New Dynamics: Characters like Jake coming back and the introduction of Chris Keller added the perfect amount of tension and charm to the mix.
Rizzoli & Isles - Season 1
The Vibe: Dark, intense, and medically chilling. This is where it all begins—the hunt for a brilliant serial killer who knows exactly where to cut.
Why 5 Stars?
The Introduction: We meet Jane Rizzoli at her grittiest. She’s tough, raw, and fighting for respect in a man’s world.
The Villain: “The Surgeon” is one of the most terrifying and smart antagonists I’ve ever read.
The Realism: Tess Gerritsen’s medical background makes every scene feel disturbingly real.
What Did You Read Last Week?
